Think You Know Your Constitutional Rights?

1. True or False: FedEx can't open your packages without a warrant because of the 4th Amendment.

True

False

The Fourth Amendment protects you and your property from unreasonable search and seizure by the government and its agents -- not private third parties. Although the "Fed" in FedEx may confuse you, this package carrier is a private entity. FedEx doesn't need a warrant to rifle through your packages, so don't try FedExing weed.

Explanation

The Fourth Amendment protects you and your property from unreasonable search and seizure by the government and its agents -- not private third parties. Although the "Fed" in FedEx may confuse you, this package carrier is a private entity. FedEx doesn't need a warrant to rifle through your packages, so don't try FedExing weed.

2. The constitutional right to jury trial under the 6th and 14th Amendments requires a criminal jury to have at least _______ jurors.

12

9

6

10

The Sixth Amendment right to a jury of your peers doesn't specifically guarantee any number of jurors on a criminal jury, but the Supreme Court has determined that criminal juries of less than six violate this protection.

Explanation

The Sixth Amendment right to a jury of your peers doesn't specifically guarantee any number of jurors on a criminal jury, but the Supreme Court has determined that criminal juries of less than six violate this protection.

3. Can waiting on Death Row be considered cruel and unusual punishment?

Yes

No

It may sound strange, but a federal court actually found that California's Death Row system was so backlogged that it violated the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

Explanation

It may sound strange, but a federal court actually found that California's Death Row system was so backlogged that it violated the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

4. The First Amendment's protections for free speech are implicated in which of the following cases? (You can select more than one)

Nazi marches through Jewish neighborhoods

Facebook removing racial slurs or hate speech posts

A company suing you for defamation after posting a negative review

Companies firing employees based on their tweets

The First Amendment protects individuals from government intervention on their speech or expression. Private companies like Facebook can remove posts as they see fit, and you can be fired from a private company for tweeting without implicating your First Amendment rights.

Explanation

The First Amendment protects individuals from government intervention on their speech or expression. Private companies like Facebook can remove posts as they see fit, and you can be fired from a private company for tweeting without implicating your First Amendment rights.

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